Noteworthy Travel Links

While on the road, I received regular messages from individuals and companies looking to get the word out about their travel sites and services. Managing to ensure a daily post on the blog was challenging enough, let alone trying to publicize other unique and interesting sites. So now that I am planted firmly in Medellin, Colombia for the near future, I am excited to begin highlighting some of what's on offer out there in cyberspace for us world travelers. Without further adieu, I submit to you my first travel link round-up!

Competitours – Dubbed “The Amazing Race for Regular Travelers” by National Geographic Traveler, Competitours is a new experiential travel company offering the opportunity to travel Europe while competing for travel-related prizes.

“Instead of challenges based on speed, strength and extreme stunts like the TV show, our challenges test teams' abilities to be creative, resourceful, original, and a touch zany and daring. A group of teams of two are sent on a secret itinerary of Europe, with the surprise challenges and destinations being revealed on a suspense half-day's notice each day. Teams are vying for a worldwide travel spree grand prize.” — Steve Belkin, company founder

The inaugural trip was just a few weeks ago, March 15-22, 2009.

Wend Magazine -Wend covers a host of adrenaline-inducing adventure activities, complete with an environmentalist's attitude. It is a relative newcomer, published quarterly in both print and online. You can get acquainted with the publication via the Wend blog.

“Our mission is to educate and inspire, as we see travel and experience as revelation that enriches our lives, and makes us better world citizens. We travel not to escape but to challenge ourselves and discover the humanity that every culture, big or small, poor or rich, shares. Sometimes grand adventure takes us to the other side of the planet, atop a towering peak, across an ocean, or even to our own cities, just around the corner. Our narrative style doesn't focus so much on where we go, or what summit we made, but rather all the nuances of how we get there. We are people who write in our journals, take photographs, and build our understanding of the world one step at a time with humility and respect.”

SoSauce – If the name of this online travel network sounds familiar, it might be because I reviewed it here in 2008. I received an update from Sean recently, highlighting a few major site updates:

We improved the navigation, did further integration with Facebook, and improved our store to offer more offerings, such as framed prints, post cards, and CD/DVD back-up.

Be sure to check out their community!

dodo.com – Speaking of travel communities, this is another which found it's way into my Inbox recently. Aside from the usual features of travel tips and travelogues, they are currently featuring a chance to win a trip around the world worth 10,000 Euros! Your chances begin when you register for the site (it's quick, I did it in a few minutes), and improve by earning points through photo and video uploads, among other options. The contest ends May 31, 2009, and the drawing is two weeks later on June 15, 2009. Good luck!